The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Strong showing from books at Zavvi

17.09.08 Graeme Neill

A "strong" books performance has contributed to retail chain Zavvi reporting a 10.2% increase in like-for-like sales in its first year of trading.

The chain rebranded from Virgin Megastore last September. Since then Zavvi has rolled out its books offer into 125 stores with shops stocking between 400 and 12,000 titles and a chart wall featuring bestsellers alongside its music chart.

In a statement to coincide with its first birthday, c.e.o. Simon Douglas said the chain had opened three more stores, in Belfast, Camberley and Glasgow, alongside its like for like growth. "We are delighted with our first year of trading," he said. "We have achieved a lot and have come along way as both a business and a brand – but we are not complacent as there is still a lot to do to build on our first successful year of trading in what is becoming a challenging economic climate."

In the chain’s related products, which includes books, Zavvi said that sales in that area had increased by 47% over the past 12 months. "Our focus on differentiating our product offer has already started to bear fruit and zavvi is quickly establishing itself as a total entertainment destination," added Douglas.

Zavvi plans to open between five and 10 new branches every year for the next three years.

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